South Korean low-cost airline Eastar Jet has launched a new direct flight between Seoul and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, according to a press release from the Kazakh Embassy in Seoul.

In his remarks at the route launch ceremony, Kazakh Ambassador to Korea Nurgali Arystanov said there would be 11 direct flights per week between Kazakhstan and South Korea.

“The addition of two new flights by Eastar Jet creates a new aviation bridge,” said Arystanov.

The ambassador noted that people-to-people ties between the two countries are surging, which helps to deepen mutual understanding and trust.

“In 2024, the number of South Korean tourists visiting Kazakhstan reached 40,180, showing a 12 percent increase, while 53,224 citizens of Kazakhstan visited South Korea, an 8 percent rise from the previous year,” said Arystanov.

The Kazakh envoy also highlighted investment cooperation, noting that in 2024, South Korea became the third-largest investor in Kazakhstan's economy, investing $1.2 billion.

“Currently, 876 companies with South Korean capital are operating in Kazakhstan, implementing large-scale innovative infrastructure projects in partnership with leading South Korean companies,” according to the embassy.

Meanwhile, Cho Joong-seok, CEO of Eastar Jet, said that the flight to Almaty is both a new challenge and a great opportunity for the airline.

“We are confident that with the launch of this flight, economic and humanitarian cooperation between our countries will only strengthen," added Cho.

He also shared Eastar Jet’s plans for active cooperation with a range of organizations to "make travel for Korean tourists to Almaty even more accessible and comfortable."

According to the embassy, this marks the first flight to Kazakhstan operated by a Korean low-cost carrier.